Richardson City Council Work Session February 6th, 2023

All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.

One public speaker compliments the city’s efforts to improve the trail system. He states that students from UTD are in support of improvements along Renner Trail and connectivity to the library and civic center. A second public speaker asks for the city to consider building a sports complex to allow community baseball teams to play in Richardson instead of having to travel outside the city.

Police Chief Gary Tittle is introduced to recognize the police department’s First Place National Night Out award. Council congratulates the department on the award. Councilman Shamsul reminds the leaders of the RPD Community Relations unit that, while awards are impressive, the real goal is to increase communication and engagement with the community. (JN: Very wise words from Councilman Shamsul. He shows that he supports the community just as much as he supports the police. I understand that the council must remain united and support their city’s police. I just hope this council is as committed to police accountability as they say they are.)

Finance Director Keith Dagen presents staff’s recommendation for the annual 65+ and disabled person’s property tax exemption review. Roughly 30% of homeowners in Richardson receive this exemption.  Richardson has a policy of setting the exemption at 30% of the average qualifying home’s value. Last year’s exemption was raised from $100k to $105k. This amounted to 26% of the average qualifying home’s value. For this fiscal year, staff recommends an increase in the exemption to $130k, roughly 31% of the projected average qualifying home’s value. Council agrees with the recommendation and will pass an ordinance at the next city council meeting.

The highlight of this work session is a presentation of the final draft of the Active Transportation Plan. This is a 10-year plan to connect all active transportation elements and create a network that is more accessible to everyone in Richardson. Transportation Engineer Daniel Herrig, Transportation & Mobility Director Mark Nelson, and Project Manager Christian Lentz (Halff Associates, Inc.) present the plan. Goals include connecting the active transportation network to regional networks at the city’s borders, improving connectivity across the city, and improving the safety of the network. The plan proposes dedicated active transportation paths along 63% of arterial and collector roadways and 96% of all residential areas being located within a ¼ mile of the network. Administration of the plan will be handled by the city’s Transportation & Mobility department as well as a new committee, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Council will receive annual briefings on the status of implementation. Updates to the plan will be made every five years. Citizens can view the draft for the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) at: cor.net/atp .

Mayor Pro Tem DePuy highlights the hopeful benefits to air quality and encourages the creation of 10-ft wide trails wherever possible. Councilman Dubey asks about the order of priority for projects. Staff answers that funding and grants will be the biggest determining factor in the order of implementation. Councilman Corcoran highlights the economic impact and also emphasizes that this is not just to increase recreational options. He mentions the services provided by the Network of Community Ministries and how refugees without cars utilize this infrastructure to access services. He also mentions students of UTD who utilize this infrastructure to access education and services. Councilman Hutchenrider asks about any potential plans for utilizing a shared mobility service (scooters, etc.). He specifies that scooters being left everywhere has caused issues for cities who have allowed it. He requests for a policy to be put in the plan prior to approval. Staff answers that UTD and the city are on the same page about not wanting those types of shared scooters without proper planning. Councilman Shamsul makes comments supporting safety and conservation of green space. Mayor Voelker emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to this plan. He asks staff to consider all aspects of transportation and how it meets citizens’ needs. Access to information, access to basic needs like grocery stores, and regulating autonomous vehicle operations are all points Mayor Voelker raises. He also asks future councils to consider the cost-benefit analysis of future planning, new committees, and accepting state and federal grant monies.

Council discusses events they attended over the week and then moves into executive session to discuss and deliberate economic development negotiations and incentive agreements with the Network of Community Ministries.

Meeting adjourns.